Sprinboks flanker Francois Louw is in doubt for the Springboks November Test tour of England, Ireland, Italy and Wales. Louw underwent surgery on a pushed disc on Monday and Springboks doctor Craig Roberts told SuperSport the 29-year-old should return to training in seven or eight weeks.

"Flo took a knock to the top of his head in a ruck in the match against the All Blacks and that pushed a disc out in his neck that has caused symptoms down his arm, so we took the decision to send him for surgery and he is having that as we speak," Roberts told SuperSport. "He should be back training within seven or eight weeks. It will be touch and go for him whether he can tour or not, but there is a possibility that he will be available and we will be working towards having him ready."

Due to the Rugby World Cup next year, the Springboks November series is larger than usual, while the Rugby Championship series next year will be shortened with only three matches scheduled in the build up to the World Cup leaving the November series as the prime time to impress coach Heyneke Meyer.

The Springboks did receive some good news with injured scrum-half Ruan Pienaar expected to recover from his medial ligament damaged suffered against New Zealand, while Willem Alberts is also expected to make a return.
"Ruan should be ready for the tour, it is just these two Rugby Championship matches that he is not available for," Roberts told SuperSport. "The news on Willem is that I met up with him Durban last week and he is doing really well. He suffered a pinched nerve on the back, something a little different from what Flo has. He is catching up on his conditioning and will be ready to tour."

The Springboks will return to training at Cape Town Stadium this week.